The city of Albert Lea advertises the city as “The Land Between the Lakes.” A lot of that land is covered by the 40-plus parks maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department. The city manager claims those parks will be maintained at their current level, but if the current park employees are used, when needed in other departments of the city, what happens to the maintenance of those parks, shorelines and the Blue Zones Walkway?

The city claims they want to again partner with and promote the Blue Zones project. They have encouraged businesses to make changes within their organizations to help people make better eating and lifestyle choices so they can live longer and healthier lives. Yet the city does the very opposite by eliminating the recreation part of the department, which provides various activities throughout the year to the youth of our community.

The Parks and Recreation Department does much more than just maintain the parks and provide recreational activities. They provide customer service to all those people throughout the year who want to rent a pavilion, dock or garden. Who is going to help that out-of-state relative who is calling the Parks and Recreation Department to rent a pavilion for a family reunion, and when they check the phone directory, there is no longer a Parks and Recreation Department listed? Who is going to spend the time to help the veterans group, the church group, a scout troop or business that wants to plan an activity at one of our many parks or pavilions?

The restructuring idea the city manager has suggested to the City Council per its request for a management reorganization plan has no proof of success and no cost savings. All that is currently happening is a 21-year veteran parks and rec director is being terminated and a new assistant public works director will be hired. A better idea would be to use less outside consultants and quit creating assistant positions to do work that is already being done by other city employees.

At this point you have to ask yourself, why is this restructuring idea even being discussed? I believe it is a stepping stone in the path of collaboration with Community Education and YMCA to try to justify building a new community center at the Blazing Star Landing. It would house all of these entities and more. We are being told those discussions, on just such a proposal, are in their infancy stages. I think they are a lot closer on the horizon than anyone is willing to admit.

Be prepared. You are currently paying for a new county government center, a new school and the watershed district to dredge our lakes and pay themselves bonuses.

If you are concerned about the quality of life in our community and how your tax dollars are being spent, get involved by contacting the mayor, and your councilor. They represent you and your interests. They need to know what you think and want to happen within our community.

 

Gary Hagen

Albert Lea